Electric locking device



June 21, 1949. J, E. TAYLOR 2,473,664

ELECTRIC LOCKING DEVICE Filed May 10, 1946 FIG. 1 96 104 95 74 /a 58 gm/0W JOSEPH E. TAYLOR,

Patented June 21, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE KELECTRICYLOCKING DEVICE tes' phnf'rayior,rhilaaelphiag'ra. A AbmieatimMa-y 10, 1946, serim-Ndmas'sis seams. (c1.'-175-32'0) "This [invention relates to loeking devices. I

An obj ectof the-invention is to providea-lock which is electrically operated, and -is pick-proof.

Another 3 obj ect of; the; invention is to provide a" lock YVhiQh Ul-QKQS use of a-key made of insulatin gJnateriah and whichhas internal-connecting wires within the-key connected toacontact points in coded "locations, for,;cornp1eting the proper circuits forunlockingthe device V I -A further object of ithetinvention is to avoid theme .of intricate mechanical pants, and-thus provide alock which is simple in desig easy and l inexpensive -to manufacture, and eifective i'n'operation v l N p g 'Another "object oil-the invention is to provide "a lock which is electrically operated, and in which, when the wrong key-is-used, or the wrong side of the key is used, or the mechanism is become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, as.illustrated in the accompanying drawing,and in Which- -Figure 11 is a sectionalelevation of my improveotpick -proof lock,

Figure 2 is a perspective viewo f a-key suitable foruse in the lockshown inliigure --1,

Figure, 3 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of a portion of the key shown inF-igure land Figure 4 is aplan View of the upper contact plate shownin'i igure 1.

Reference is :now had to the illustrations in which similar reference characters denote similar parts throughout the several views, a face plate beingfindicate d at -12. The faceplate 2 may be any -de'sired shape such as rectangular or curved-as seen fromthe left side of the view, and has a slot 4 therein through which a :key is insertabla thesshank 8- of the/key entering the hole land the handle 'I of the-key remaining outside. Th'e" fac'e plate 2 islpreferab'ly made of steel, while the key 6 is preferably made of insul'ating material 's uch'aspl'astic. A

The face plate Zlils i'n'o'u'n'te'd on a "housing I2 having a "fr'ohtfwall H, rear wall l. 6,, top wall l8, jbottom :m'embi'er '20, fahd side members not shown. Inside "the housing "there "are "mounted an upper and a lower contacttg'uide' plate 22 and 24, parallel"toeachbtherand formedof insulating material. These guide plates '22 and Mare spaced apart to provideth'e key receiving space 4 therebetween and each has'aiplurality of guide holes 26 and '21 respectively extending through spectively, with.'1 '2 holesin'eachrow. It will-b'e understood of course, that the nunibe'ran'darrang'ement of contact points on key '6 may vary, ahdthatthecontatzi uidelplates must matchthe number and arrangement of the points on the key. l l

The space '34 between the-=para1lelupper and lower guide plates 22*and24,forms'a passageway aligned with slot through which the shank 8 of the key 6 slides after'ente'ring the slot 4. Above the 'upperrguiderplate 22 is movably disposed an 'upper contact plate 36 'formed of insula'ting'material such'as plasticor the like, with metal contact points "38 protruding downwardly out of the undersurfacelfl of the-plate 36, the contact points 38 being preferably set into the plate 36 during the molding thereof to hold. them securely against dislodgment, copper being a suitable metal out of which to make the points 33. There are just as many contact points 3'8 as there are holes "26in the upper cohtactguide plate '22, the polnts bein'g s'o arranged that-as the contactplat'e isnioved'downward, each point enters one contact polntguidehol'e 26, the-contact points protruding-out into the space 34 when the contact point plate -36 is in contact with the contact guide-plate. l I

There is also a lower contactplate 42 of the same size, material and shape as upper cont-act plate 36, and provided withupwardly-protruding metal contact points 44 ,set in thelplate 42 and extending upwards slidably through guide holes 27 in lower contact guide plate 24. There are just as many contact points 44in the lower contact plate as there are contact points in the upper contact plate, and they all correspond in number and arrangement to those on the key itself.

Extending leftward into the right end of the key passageway 34 as seen in Figure 1, is a plunger 46 having a slotted collar 48 in which are engaged the ends 50 and 52 of lever arms 54 and 56 which are pivoted at 58 and 58 respectively, the other legs 62 and 64 of the levers being pivotally engaged at 68 and 68 respectively with shaft members 18 and 72 secured at their inner ends 14 and 18 to springs I8 and 88, the other ends of the springs engaging and being secured to upper and lower contact carrying plates 38 and 42 respectively. It is thus apparent that as the plunger 46 is moved to the right by the insertion of the key 5 into space 34, the collar 48 causes the rocker arm levers 54 and 55 to compress the springs 18 and 88 respectively, thus moving upper and lower contact plates 36 and 42 toward each other and causing their respective contact points 38 and 44 to protrude into the key passageway 34.

Plunger 48 is biased to the left by spring 82, and carries electrically connected contact points 84, so that as the plunger 46 is pushed to the right by the key, electrical contact is made between contact terminals 88 and 88. Terminal 86 is connected by wire 98 to one of the upper contact points shown at 92, all the other upper contact points being connected together and to wire 94 which is connected to the coil 93 of a circuit breaker the other terminal of the coil being connected by wire 98 to terminal I08. Wire I02 connects from terminal I88 to the contact on movable armature I84, while the stationary contact I06 is connected by wire I88 to terminal 88. Wire H leads from terminal H2 to one of the lower contacts 44 denoted by H4, all the rest of the lower contacts 44 being connected together and by wire H6 to terminal II8, terminals H8, I00 and H2 being mounted on an insulating block I20.

Within the key shank, as seen in Figure 3, the upper surface contact point 93 corresponding in position to contact '82 on the upper contact point plate, is connected by wire i22 to lower surface contact II corresponding in position to contact I I4 on the lower contact plate.

A source of electric current is connected to terminals H80 and H8, and the leads from the magnetic or solenoid type latch indicated by coil I I 8 to be actuated by the lock shown in Figure 1, are connected across terminals H8 and H2.

In operation, the key must be inserted with the proper side up. No master keys are possible and only the key for the particular lock will set up the correct circuit to operate the look while simultaneously leaving the circuit breaker closed. If there is an attempt to use the wrong key, the wrong side of the key, or any attempt to pick the mechanism by shorting it out, the circuit breaker will act and prevent the lock from opening, the circuit breaker resuming the connection between the wires I82 and m8 when the short is eliminated. When the key is fully inserted, the contacts on the contact plates are firmly pressed against the contact points on both sides of the key, thus creating a path through which the current may flow and so operate the magnetic type lock II 9. The terminals 86 and 88 are not connected together until the key is all the way in. As the key is inserted, it causes these contacts to be connected together, completing the circuit so that current flows through the upper contact points through the key and lower contact points to the lock II9 to be actuated. A large number of combinations is possible by merely varying the internal connecticns oi the key and of the upper and lower contact plates. The device may also be used as an automotive ignition switch, and as a device for actuating a horn when being tampered with by automobile thieves.

Although I have described a preferred embodiment of my invention in specific terms, it is to be understood that various changes may be made in size, shape, materials and arrangement without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention as claimed.

I claim:

1. A key operated electric switch for connecting the opposite sides of a power source to the opposite sides of a load circuit comprising a plurality of spaced apart contacts positioned for simultaneous engagement by a key and electrically insulated from each other, a switch circuit for connecting the opposite sides of the power source to the opposite sides of the load circuit and including a gap between two selected contacts, said contacts being electrically connectable by a properly coded key inserted into said key operated switch, normally closed electro-magnetic switch means interposed in said switch circuit in series with said gap and operated to open said switch circuit when energized, and an energizing circuit for said electro-magnetic switch means extending between the opposite sides of said power source and including in series said electromagnetic switch means and a gap between two separate groups of non-selected contacts, whereby said clectro-magnetic switch means will be energized to interrupt said switch circuit if any contact of one group is electrically interconnected with any contact of the other group of nonselected contacts.

2. A key operated electric switch for connecting the opposite sides of a power source to the opposite sides of a load circuit comprising a plurality of spaced apart contacts insulated from each other and positioned to be simultaneously contacted by a key, a switch circuit operative to connect one side of the power source to one side of the load circuit, the other side of the power source to one selected contact and the other side of the load circuit to another selected contact so that said power source will be operatively connected to said load circuit when said two selected contacts are electrically interconnected, a key having a plurality of contact points corresponding in relative position to the relative position of said contacts and electrically insulated from each other, means in said key electrically interconnecting two contact points respectively corresponding in position to said two selected contacts to electrically interconnect said two selected contacts when said key is properly positioned in the key operated switch, normally closed switch means interposed in said switch circuit, electro-magnetic means connected to said normally closed switch means to open the latter and interrupt said switch circuit when said electro-magnetic means is energized, and

an energizing circuit for said electro-magnctic means operative to connect one side of said electro-magnetic means to one side of said power source, the other side of said electro-magnetic means to one group of non-selected contacts and other side of said power source to energize said electrmmagnetic-"means if any contact of saidfl one -group of non-selec'ted' contacts 'is '-electrically conneeted= with'= anycontactmf said' other group of non-selected contacts? in g 'the- 'oppo'site "-sides of-apo-wer sourceto tlie' opposite -sides of -a load circuit comprising a pluralitymf -spacod apart"contacts i-nsulated e'a'clroth'er 'and-positioned -to be" simultaneously theload-circuitftheijther sideofthe otter-source? with% a *seiectew contact *or-one of "said" sets off contacts and theother side .of theload circui 3z-A keyoperatedelectric switch for' connectwitha' selected contact of 'tl'ie othenset" cream '1 tacts; anoim'aHy-opn "switch interposed in saii two-"selected contacts;-a"keyoperated plnnger extending fromsaid norma-lly ope'ri switch into contacted bya key, a switch-circuit operative-t61osaidkey= receiving -recess to-c1ose said normally opened-switch upon insertion of a key into said recess, a'cod'ed "key insertableinto' said recess toff close saidfnorinally'i open "switch -and"ele'ctricall y*- connect one' side of the power sdurce' tonne side" of the 1 1oad-circuit, the other side :of the power? source to-one selected contact-and another se lectedcontact with'the opposite side'of the load" cirei-zim a' normally open; key*closable--'switchiri terposed-in said-switch circuit;-anormally'closed" sv'ritchdnterpos'cd in said switclr'circuit' in'series with said normall'yopen switch; electro -mag netic means-connected=to said normally closed switch to open the latterand-interruptsaid switchweta ctsof-1 said-two sets; normally closed 'electro'-" circuit when said electroinagneticmeansisen ergized; an energizing circuit/ for said el'ectro'a magnetic'means"operative to connect one'side of saidelectro-mag-netic -means'-'to one side of said" netic -means-=to"-at* least one of themon-selectedcontacts and =at"-leastone other of the" non-se lec-ted---contacts to "the other side-of the power" sofurce,- and 'a key --insertable "into? said ke'yop interconnectsaid two selected-contacts "to there? completesaid switch circuit without ele'c? trically-q interconnectingany" non-selected con-' tact oftone set'with any non-selected contact 'of" the other set of contacts, respective means *el'eefl trically=-interconnecting the" non-selected conmagnetic switch meansinterposed' in said switch circuit inseries with said normally opened switch" and the gap-betweensaid sele'ctedconta'cts tot interrupt saidswitchcircuit uponenerg'i'za'ti'on of power source-"the other-side'ofisaid electro-mag-w gnsaid electro-magnetic switch'mean's; nd an ergizingcircuit for-said"ele'ctro magnetic switch source to one side of'said electro magnetic switch means, the other side of said "electro-magnetic" erat'ed switch" to close said-normally open S'WitCh"3O" svyitchmeans to the means electrically inter cone'.

and simultaneously electrically interconnect said two selected contacts 'without electrically inter connecting any two non-selected contacts con necte'd"to-said electro-magnetic-mearisenergizing circuit."

4. A key -operated electric"switch for"connect ing'theopp'osite sides ofapower source to the" opposite sidesof a "load circuit comprisingtwo sets "ofcontacts disposed" at respectively "opposite ing a -plurality of= contacts electricallyinsulated from 'each==- other; I a switclr circuit" op'erati'veto connect the opposite-sides of *thepower source to' the opposite sides =of-the load-= circuit and -in-:

one of-wh-ich'is 'in one andthe otherofwhich-is in the other ofsaid-two sets of-;-contacts,- said se r lected-contacts being electrically intereonnectible by a properly coded-key inserted into said key;-

receiying space, nori'nally closed, electro magnetic W switch means interposedin said syvitoheireuit m seneswitesaid gap and operative, when ener- J to lnt I 4' it and an "mg circuit'for's'aid elctro ma'gnetic means" operatiye to coniicvtne opposite fsid ofsaid electro ina'gnetic means to 1 t oppositeside of thepower source" and includin w a "gap between non selectedcontacts of said two:

sets of contacts' whereby saga felectro mag netic itch insane is energized -w enever non elect ts 'eeeomaetsare elecnecting the non-selected contacts of one of said of the other set of Contact G A hey operated electric switch'for electrically sides=ofakeyreceivingspaceandeach includ--"4 U0Q %ne0t,mg he ODD S lBeFS SQ a p w r s rce to theoppositesides of a load circuit comprising two 1 spaced apart, substantially parallel; ,apertured plates of electrically insulatiye material disposed f at" 1 espectively-opposite sides of a key-receiving; eluding aegap between'-=two'- selected-" contaotsc' s acq tWQ Contact carrying plates of electrically a 35 energize said electro-magnetic switchmeans upon 1; electrical interconnection of "any non-selected contact of one set withanynon-selected contact insulative material respectively disposedadja'cent' the outer sides of said aperturedplates, respective sets of contacts carried by said'contact carrying plates and extending; through corresponding aperture-s in; the adjacent apertured plates, a sw'itch circuit operative to connect one side of the power source to one side of the load circuit,- the 1 other side of the power source; With a selected contact (of; one of "said sets of contactsand the 55 otherside of the load circuit with a; selected con-h.

tact of'the other set of contacts, a normally open switch interposed in said switch socket in 1 series with the gap between said two selected contacts, a key-operated plunger extending from (jW-Lsaid normally open switch into said key receiving'g gap between means, and an energizing circuit for said electromagnetic switch means operative to connect one side of the power source to one side of said electromagnetic switch means, the other side of said electro-magnetic switch means to the means electrically interconnecting the non-selected contacts of one of said sets of contacts and the means connecting the non-selected contacts of the other set of contacts to the other side of the power source to energize said electro-magnetic switch means upon electrical interconnection of any non-selected contact of one set with any nonselected contact of the other set of contacts, and sprin means interconnected respectively between said contact carrying plates and said key operated plunger to press said contacts firmly against the opposite sides of a key inserted into said key receiving space.

, 7. A key operated electric switch for electrically connecting the opposite sides of a power source to the opposite sides of a load circuit comprising two spaced apart, substantially parallel, apertured plates of electrically insulative material disposed at respectively opposite sides of a key receiving space, two contact carrying plates of electrically insulative material respectively disposed adjacent the outer sides of said apertured plates, respective sets of contacts carried by said contact carrying plates and extending through corresponding apertures in the adjacent apertured plates, a switch circuit operative to connect one side of the power source to one side of the load circuit, the other side of the power source with a selected contact of one of said sets of contacts and the other side of the load circuit with a selected contact of the other set of contacts, a normally open switch interposed in said switch circuit in series with the gap between said two selected contacts, a key operated plunger extendin from said normally open switch into said key receiving recess to close said normally opened switch upon insertion of a key into said recess, a coded key insertable into said recess to close said normally open switch and electrically interconnect said two selected contacts to thereby complete said switch circuit without electrically interconnecting any non-selected contact of one set with any nonselected contact of the other set of contacts, respective means electrically interconnecting the non-selected contacts of said two sets, normally energization of said electro-magnetic switch means, and an energizing circuit for said electromagnetic switch means operative to connect one side of the power source to one side of said electromagnetic switch means, the other side of said electromagnetic switch means to the means electrically inter-connecting the non-selected contacts of one of said sets of contacts and the means connecting the non-selected contacts of the other set of contacts to the other side of the power source to energize said electro-nagnetic switch means upon electrical interconnection of any nonrselecte'd contact of one set with any nonselected contact of the other set of contacts, and spring means interconnected respectively between said contact carrying plates and said key operated plunger to press said contacts firmly against the opposite sides of a key inserted into said key receiving space, said key comprising a flat'body of electrically insulative material having therein two electrically interconnected contact points respectively disposed at opposite faces of said body and corresponding in position to the position of the respective selected contacts.

8. A key operated electric switch comprising a housing, a pair of plates mounted in said housing in spaced apart, substantiall parallel relationship to provide a key receiving space therebetween, each of said plates being formed of electrically insulative material and having therein a plurality of apertures arranged in a pre determined pattern, a base plate secured to one end of said housing and having therein a key receiving hole registering with the key receiving space between said plates, two contact carrying plates formed of electrically insulative material and respectively disposed adjacent the outer sides of said first mentioned plates, a plurality of contact pins secured in each of said contact carrying plates and projecting outwardly therefrom to pass through respective apertures in the adjacent apertured plates to said key receiving recess, a magnetic relay switch mounted in said housing including an electromagnetic coil and a normally closed switch opened by said coil when the latter is energized, a group of three binding posts mounted in said housing and electrically insulated therefrom, one of said binding posts being connectable to one side of a power source, a second to the other side of the power source and to one side of a load circuit and the third binding post being connectable to the opposite side of the load circuit to supply energizing current to such load circuit when the key operated switch circuit is closed, a conductor connecting said one binding post to one side of said relay switch coil and to one side of said relay switch, a pair of spaced apart, fixed switch terminals mounted in said housing at the end of said key receiving space opposite said base plate, a key operated plunger projecting into such opposite end of said space and carrying a pair of interconnected switch terminals engageable with said fixed terminals to electrically interconnect the latter, spring means resiliently urging said plunger carried contacts away from said fixed contacts, a conductor connecting one of the contacts carried by one of said contact carrying plates with one of said fixed contacts, a conductor connecting all of the other contacts carried by the same plate with the remaining side of said relay coil, a con ductor connecting one of the contacts carried by the other of said contact carrying plates to said third binding post, a conductor connecting all of the other contacts carried by said other contact carrying plate to said second binding post whereby interconnecting any one of said other contacts carried by said one contact carrying plate with any one of said other contacts carried by said other contact carrying plate will energize said relay coil and open said relay switch, and when said one contact of said one contact carrying plate is interconnected with said one contact of said other contact carrying plate without interconnecting any of said other plate carried contacts, said power source will be connected with said load circuit, and a key insertable through said base plate key hole into the space between said apertured plates to move said plunger to interconnect said fixed contacts and simultaneously connect said one contact in one of said contact carrying plates with said one contact in the other of said contact carrying plate-without interconnecting any of said other plate carried contacts, said key comprising a flat body of electrically insulative material, a plurality of contact points in each face of said body with the contact points in one face electrically insulated from the contact points in the 5 other face, and means in said body electrically interconnecting a selected contact point in one face with a selected contact point in the other face of said body.

JOSEPH E. TAYLOR.

10 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

